Paper towel rack

ABSTRACT

A rack for paper towels wound on a tube is constructed of two identical molded brackets mounted in opposed relationship by means of a pressure sensitive adhesive. The tube is supported by means of bayonet type supports extending through the brackets into the tube.

. Unlted States Paten [151 3,706,421 Popham I 1 Deal 9,1972

[54] PAPER TOWEL RACK 1,987,154 1/1935 Noffsinger ..242/55.2

72 Inventor: Orville G. Popham, 6530 Hollow Lane, Lowland Ohio 45140 Primary Examiner-Leonard D. Christian Att0rneylrwin P. Garfinkle [22] Filed: May 28, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 148,017 ABSTRACT A rack for paper towels wound on a tube is con- [52] US. Cl ..242/55.2 slwcted of two identical mol d rackets mounted in [51 Int. Cl. ..B65h 19/00 opposed relationship y means of a pressure sensitive [58] Field of Search ..242/55.2, 55.3, 68.4, adhesive. The tube is supported by means of bayonet l29.5l-l29.8 type supports extending through the brackets into the tube.

[56] References Cited 10 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATENTEnnzm m2 3.706.421

ORVILLE G. POPHAM VQ m Zk ATTORNEY.

, l PAPER TOWEL RACK BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The prior art contains many varieties of paper towel holders, but each of these suffers from a variety of defects. A common type is constructed of a metal base from which two spring loaded brackets are pivoted. A similar holder is made of plastic, the brackets and hinges being formed integrally with the base. Each of the prior art devices is difficult to mount, and its reliability depends on a spring which in many cases has a short useful life. The present invention overcomes the prior art deficiencies by providing a holder which is easily and reliably mounted, and which provides a lockable bayonet latch for supporting the towel tube from between the brackets. The brackets are provided with a relatively elongated base to reduce the shearing forces exerted along the pressuresensitive adhesive by which the brackets are mounted.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION It is an object of this invention to provide a towel holder which is inexpensive to manufacture and which is reliable in operation.

It is another object of this invention to provide a towel holder comprised of two identical opposed brackets, the towel tube being supported between the brackets by means of bayonet type tubular latches.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a towel holder capable of being reliably wall mounted by means of pressure sensitive adhesive.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a towel holder having two opposed brackets which are mounted by means of a pressure sensitive adhesive, and which are restrained from lateral displacement by means of a towel cutting bar extending under tension between said brackets.

Still other objects of this invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following specification, drawings and claims.

THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the over-all construction of the towel holder;

FIG. 2 is an end view of one of the identical brackets with the bayonet support mounted therein;

FIG. 3 is a cross section taken through the line 3-3 in FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is an end view of a bracket and bayonet support.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT As shown in FIG. 1, the invention provides a bearing support for a roll of paper towels or tissues of the type commonly used in the home. The towels 10 are wound on a hollow cylindrical tube 12 from which the roll is supported.

The towel holder comprises two identical brackets 14 and 16. Each bracket consists of a base 18 adapted to be secured to a vertical surface by means of a pressure sensitive adhesive 20 applied to the lower surface thereof. The adhesive may be in the form of a tape having such an adhesive on both surfaces. The base is elongated, having a length almost equal to the diameter of onet 30 includes a tapered tubular projection 32 supported from a circular flange 34. The flange 34 is provided with an integral operating knob 36 and a pair of diametrically opposed tabs 38 and 40 complementary to the notches 26 and 28. The tabs 38 and 40 are axially spaced from the flange 34 a distance approximately equal to the thickness of the arms 22 adjacent the periphery of the opening 24.

The bayonet 30 is projected through the opening 24 by first aligning the tabs 38 and 40 with the notches 26 and 28 so that the tabs can be'projected through them. Thereafter, the flange 34 is rotated by means of the knob 36 so that the tabs lock the flange onto the arm.

As best seen in FIG. 1, stops 42 are provided on the arm 22 on both sides of each notch. The stops 42 are so dimensioned that the notches can be forced over them by rotation of the flange 34. However, the normal friction between the tube 12 and theprojection 32 is insufficient to rotate the bayonet out of its locked position between the four stops 42.

The ends of the arms 22 are provided with a small aperture for receiving the end of a bent rod 46 having a straight elongated portion 48 extending under slight tension between the brackets 14 and 16. The rod 46 serves two purposes: first, it provides a brace for the brackets, and second, it provides a convenient tearing surface for the normally perforated towel or tissue.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In summary I have provided a towel holder which is simple and inexpensive to manufacture by injection molding, which is easily and reliably mounted, and which functions to properly supply paper from a roll. The illustrated towel holder has several advantageous features. First, the need for a spring is eliminated by the simple bayonet latch and support. In addition, the bayonet latch is manually drivable over the stops to a locked position, but the stops prevent unlocking due to the nonnal friction drive between the roll and the latch. Moreover, the pressure sensitive mounting is enhanced by dimensioning the base almost as long as the diameter of the roll. The use of the cutter rod as a tensioner combines to add rigidity to the over-all arrangement.

I claim:

1. A towel holder for a roll of paper towels wound onto a cylindrical tube comprising:

first and second brackets, each bracket having an elongated base, said base being mountable on a surface;

an arm projecting at right angles from each of said bases, the distance between said arms being approximately equal to the length of said roll;

a circular aperture in each arm near the end thereof;

l060ll 0672 and a support for said tube, said support comprising a tubular member projecting through an opening for insertion into an end of said tube, said tubular member being mounted on a flange, and locking means provided on said flange for locking said flange to said arm.

2. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said locking means comprises at least one tab extending from said flange, and a complementary notch on said arm at the periphery of said opening, said tab extending through said notch, said flange being rotatable to a position whereby said tab axially locks said-flange to said arm.

I 3. The invention as defined in claim 2, and stops on said arm for limiting rotation of said flange due to the friction between said roll and said tubular member.

4. The invention as defined in claim 3, and an operating knob on said flange for rotating said flange.

5. The invention as defined in claim 4 and a rod extending between said arms. 4

6. The invention as defined in claim 5 wherein rod is under slight tension.

7. The invention as defined in claim 6, and a pressure sensitive adhesive on said base for mounting said base to said surface.

8. A towel holder for a roll of paper towels wound said onto a cylindrical tube comprising:

first and second brackets each having an elongated base, the length of said elongated base being approximately equal to the diameter of said roll; a pressure sensitive adhesive on said base for mounting said base to a surface;

an arm projecting at right angles from eachof said bases, the distance between said arms being approximately equal to the length of said roll;

a circular aperture in each arm near the end thereof;

and a support for said tube, said support comprising a tubular member projecting through an opening for insertion into an end of said tube.

9. The invention as defined in claim 8, wherein said tubular member is mounted on a flange, and locking means on said flange. for locking said flange to said arm, said locking means including at least one tab extending from said flange, and a complementary notch on said arm at the periphery of said opening for receiving said tab, said flange being rotatable to a position whereby said tab axially locks said flange to sad arm, and stops on said arms for limiting the rotation of said flange.

10. The invention as defined in claim 9, and a rod extending under tension between said arms.

l060ll 0673 

1. A towel holder for a roll of paper towels wound onto a cylindrical tube comprising: first and second brackets, each bracket having an elongated base, said base being mountable on a surface; an arm projecting at right angles from each of said bases, the distance between said arms being approximately equal to the length of said roll; a circular aperture in each arm near the end thereof; and a support for said tube, said support comprising a tubular member projecting through an opening for insertion into an end of said tube, said tubular member being mounted on a flange, and locking means provided on said flange for locking said flange to said arm.
 2. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said locking means comprises at least one tab extending from said flange, and a complementary notch on said arm at the periphery of said opening, said tab extending through said notch, said flange being rotatable to a position whereby said tab axially locks said flange to said arm.
 3. The invention as defined in claim 2, and stops on said arm for limiting rotation of said flange due to the friction between said roll and said tubular member.
 4. The invention as defined in claim 3, and an operating knob on said flange for rotating said flange.
 5. The invention as defined in claim 4 and a rod extending between said arms.
 6. The invention as defined in claim 5 wherein said rod is under slight tension.
 7. The invention as defined in claim 6, and a pressure sensitive adhesive on said base for mounting said base to said surface.
 8. A towel holder for a roll of paper towels wound onto a cylindrical tube comprising: first and second brackets each having an elongated base, the length of said elongated base being approximatelY equal to the diameter of said roll; a pressure sensitive adhesive on said base for mounting said base to a surface; an arm projecting at right angles from each of said bases, the distance between said arms being approximately equal to the length of said roll; a circular aperture in each arm near the end thereof; and a support for said tube, said support comprising a tubular member projecting through an opening for insertion into an end of said tube.
 9. The invention as defined in claim 8, wherein said tubular member is mounted on a flange, and locking means on said flange for locking said flange to said arm, said locking means including at least one tab extending from said flange, and a complementary notch on said arm at the periphery of said opening for receiving said tab, said flange being rotatable to a position whereby said tab axially locks said flange to sad arm, and stops on said arms for limiting the rotation of said flange.
 10. The invention as defined in claim 9, and a rod extending under tension between said arms. 